Supporting Ukrainian Government Bodies and Civil Society

​In partnership with the UK Government, SSS has built upon Phase 1 of its Peace Support Project and embarked on a two-year program focused on 3 key component areas supporting Ukrainian government bodies and civil society. These programs are outlined below.

Liaison Officer ProgramIn Phase 1, SSS established a Civil Society Organization (CSO) based Liaison Officer Program within the Ministry of Social Policy (MOSP) that focused on strengthening the capacity of the MOSP to engage with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable communities and surrounding issues relating to the social consequences of the conflict in Donbas. Phase 2 builds upon our previous Liaison Officer Program and extends the number of LO’s to 30 across Ukraine.

As a part of the Liaison Officer Program, SSS is programming the following:​Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI): For this program, SSS is partnering with Ukrainian CSO La Strada, who have a proven record of technical expertise in providing similar trainings and advocacy work in PSVI around Ukraine. The program will host 23 x 1-day training courses for Ministry of Social Policy officials and representatives of policing institutions on legislative changes around gender-based violence, conveying standard practices to regional level officials. Additionally, 4 roundtable discussions on PSVI and gender equality for government officials and civil society activists will be held. Winter Shelter Program: In partnership with Depaul International, SSS will expand its programs with Depaul International. This will include the opening of winter shelters in Kyiv, Odessa and Kharkiv. Additionally, legal services, outreach services, medical services and daycare centres will be provided for winter shelter beneficiaries.

Ministry of Defense Military Psychology Training ProgramIn an effort to concentrate on the prevention of post-traumatic stress and other negative issues, in addition to providing front line psychological support, and supporting the recovery of the mental health of military personnel affected by combat operations, SSS will operate a military psychology training program. This program will train 1,250 Ukrainian military officials who are in specialized roles that require expanded knowledge of military psychological techniques and the provision of psychological support to military service women and men.

Psychosocial Support for IDPsThis program will continue the SSS partnership with the Union of Women of Ukraine, who provide psychosocial support to IDP children and their families. This support assists IDPs with adjusting to their new realities and coming to terms with the conflict they have witnessed in eastern Ukraine. This program will run for 6 months and will provide psychosocial support services to at least 3,000 people living in conflict affected eastern Ukraine.